Palladium develops and delivers solutions that create positive impact for communities, businesses, societies and economies. We transform lives and create enduring value by working with governments, corporations and non-profit organisations.
Activity Overview and Role:
The Regional Agriculture and Market Systems (RAMS) activity is a 5-year, $23 million task order under USAID’s Regional Integration and Stronger Economics (RISE) IDIQ mechanism. RAMS is designed to promote increased agricultural production, trade, improved policies, finance and investment, and resilience to shocks and stresses in the East Africa region by addressing agricultural issues that can only be solved on a regional basis. RAMS will collaborate closely with USAID/Kenya and East Africa’s regional intergovernmental partners, including the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region. The Activity is organized under four objectives: 1) Strengthening cross-border agricultural market systems, 2) Accessing and scaling technologies, 3) Strengthening regional resilience, and 4) Strengthening the regional agriculture policy and regulatory environment. The RAMS geographic area of focus includes the East African countries of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Zambia.
The Cross-Border Trade and Market Systems Lead will lead Objective 1, overseeing and leading design and implementation of activities expected to build more effective cross-border market systems that take full advantage of new and existing international market opportunities. S/he will identify and manage market linkage activities that expand trade opportunities across East Africa and will support Objective 4-led efforts to improve the business enabling environment and remove trade barriers. S/he will report directly to the Project Manager.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide technical and managerial support to strengthen structured cross-border trade in RAMS value chains and improve capacity to respond to shocks and stresses. Focus value chains include but are not limited to: livestock, climate resilient staple crops, and nutrient-rich horticulture.
- Lead efforts to identify cross-border value chain constraints and address barriers that limit trade competitiveness.
- Develop action plans for focus value chains in collaboration with other stakeholders such as private sector lead firms, input supply dealers, producer organizations, banks and insurance companies, regional intergovernmental bodies (i.e., EAC, COMESA, IGAD), national governments, USAID, USDA and other actors.
- Forge value chain-specific, business-led partnerships to stimulate cross-border trade.
- Identify new opportunities for regional cross-border trade and facilitate medium- to long-term private sector investment in value chain systems, supporting industries, and infrastructure.
- Oversee provision of technical assistance and grants to the private sector and across value chains to increase competitiveness, diversify production/exports, support capacity building, and any other relevant efforts required to expand cross-border trade and strengthen regional market systems.
- Improve the capacity of value chain actors, including private sector firms, financial institutions, agro-dealers, and regional organizations to facilitate cross-border agriculture trade, and overcome barriers to trade.
- Share results and learning with project leadership, Palladium, and USAID.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, international trade, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
- Seven to 10 years of relevant professional experience implementing trade and market systems interventions within the East African context.
- Ability to establish effective, long-term partnerships and market linkages among private-sector actors and demonstrated ability to provide TA in strengthening value chains and building private sector firm-level capacity.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with intergovernmental, private sector, and governmental representatives, particularly at the regional level.
- Prior USAID or donor experience preferred.
- Strong preference for Kenyan and East African citizens.
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